Adobe Illustrator is graphic-driven software used primarily for creating vector graphics. Developed alongside with Adobe Photoshop as a companion product, Adobe illustrator is used for creating logos, graphics, cartoons and fonts for the photo-realistic layouts of Adobe Photoshop. Currently the updated software, Adobe Illustrator CS to CS5 opened new features to the software such as adding three dimensional applications and realistic brushes. If you’re interested to know the basic functions and uses of Adobe Illustrator, here is a tutorial that can briefly show you how.

If however your plan is to create graphics that could be transported to Photoshop, you can start by learning how to use first the most basic tool for drawing on the software and that is the Pen Tool.Use the pen tool to start drawing a simple shape to creating a complex logo. So that you won’t be confused also on using the tool, make your fill white and your strokes black. Leave the effects, gradients and colors for a while and concentrate on drawing your graphic.

The next step is to learn how to use the Shape and Pathfinder Tool. If you’re using the Pen Tool for drawing shapes and find that your shapes aren’t perfect enough, you can also use the Shape Tool. Use the Shape Tool to create ellipses, rectangles, rounded rectangles, triangles and stars.

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You can also test your ability to use the Pathfinder Tool through this tutorial about making shapes. This tool helps when you’re creating complex shapes and objects.

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After learning how to draw on Illustrator, learn how to use adobe illustrator swatches and colors. Begin by playing and changing the colors of the fills or strokes of your drawing by using your color swatches.

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You can also apply a gradient by using the Mesh Tool. The basic idea is to use your color swatches if you’re aiming for a flat or 2D artwork, gradients to make your graphics more three-dimensional and then the Mesh Tool if you want your graphics to be more realistic.

To wrap up everything you have learned you can go ahead and create your own personal logo and business card. From following the tutorials on each of the step, you can essentially now start drawing a logo and prepare a simple layout. If however you’re still having trouble figuring out the software, you can follow the tutorial below on how to create a logo.

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If you want even more of a challenge, try to live-trace a picture. This is a great introduction into some of the more advanced tools in Adobe Illustrator.

Community Q&A

How can I copy and paste previous text to make more words in the same font and color?

wikiHow Contributor

If you are in the same textbox, you can simply select and ctrl c/v. If you want to copy the whole textbox, go to your layers, find your text and copy/paste the whole layer. Or, simply use the move tool, click on the text, ctrl c, ctrl v (or ctrl f - this will copy it exactly on top of original text); or use the move tool, hold alt and move the text with the mouse. If you want to copy text from external source (for example, a webpage), you need to Google the font they're using or find something similar.